Dual Canadian/Australian Citizen

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Lukeyd

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Hi All,

Due to an urgent family matter, it looks like I’ll be trying to fly from Canada to Australia in the coming weeks. As there are no direct flights from Canada to Australia, I’ll be flying via the US: Toronto - Chicago - LA - Sydney (purchased on one PNR).

As a dual Canadian/Australian citizen, I’m wondering why passport I will use to check in for my first flight in Toronto?

As a Canadian I don’t need a US ESTA, and do not have an ESTA on my Australian passport. As such, I will need fo enter the US on my Canadian passport.

As an Australian I need to enter on my AU passport, and don’t have an eTA on my Canadian passport. So will need to enter Australia on my Australian passport.

Which passport should I use for online check-in? I’m thinking my Canadian one (and if needed can show Australian one at service counter in LA?)

Thanks!
 
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Which passport should I use for online check-in? I’m thinking my Canadian one (and if needed can show Australian one at service counter in LA?)
You'll need to use both and won't be able to use online check-in.

In Canada, they'll need to see the Australian passport as they won't allow you to start a journey to somewhere that won't let you in. Obviously, they'll also need to see the Canadian passport as well to verify you can enter the US.

If you must you online check-in then just apply for an ESTA, they're still just US$14 so in the big picture not that expensive however you're likely to still need to visit a counter to verify the negative covid test before issuing any Australian bound boarding pass.
 
Canadian passport for the online check-in, as it is your departing passport.
Show both at the airport for the actual check-in
 
Don't online check in and don't enter any passport details in manage booking other than the mandatory secure flight info (gender/DOB).

When you check in at Toronto, go to a manned counter, hand them the Canadian passport and ask them to only check you in to Chicago. Advise them that you will re-check in Chicago with your Australian passport otherwise they'll get a "APP do not board" error at Toronto.

Do not let them swipe the Australian passport at Toronto - the US will deny you entry due to no ESTA.

At Toronto pre-clearance you would use the Canadian passport as usual and if you are NEXUS enrolled you can use the global entry kiosks as normal.

Once you arrive in Chicago, get checked in for the Chicago to Los Angeles to Sydney. You will show the Australian passport for these two flights. Don't show the Canadian passport from Chicago onwards.

... or alternatively just get a ESTA for your Australian passport and you can just check in at Toronto with the Australian one.
 
With my UK AUS dual nationality, the instructions were surmised as;
Must leave and arrive back in AUS on AUS passport.
Must arrive and leave UK on UK passport. In between is either, just needed to try to remember to arrive and leave a country on the same passport... So when I go via Singapore, as I have family there, always arrive and depart on my AUS passport, which has my SIN multi visa in it too...
 
Thanks for the info everyone, I ended up breaking my journey in the US so I'll have 2 distinct bookings. Cathay Pacific has spoiled me by allowing different passports to be used for different legs!
 
With my UK AUS dual nationality, the instructions were surmised as;
Must leave and arrive back in AUS on AUS passport.
Must arrive and leave UK on UK passport. In between is either, just needed to try to remember to arrive and leave a country on the same passport... So when I go via Singapore, as I have family there, always arrive and depart on my AUS passport, which has my SIN multi visa in it too...
Yep- it's exactly the same with my AU and German passport. I'm always surprised how many check in agents get seriously confused about this as I'd imagine they have similar cases on a daily basis.
 
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